“Have another coffee.” Linna slid a white mug at me from across a wooden bar.

“What happened?” I asked, trying to sort through the haze my brain had become. The details I did see were terrifying. There was no way they could be true, and yet I knew they were.

“Either you got white-girl wasted on a bit of champagne or someone fucked with you,” she whispered. “You and Mary were both an instant hot mess on like maybe three glasses of champagne, and now you’ve sobered up way too fast after that small nap by the fire. Something isn’t stirring the Kool-Aid.” Her words were confusing in my spinning head.

“Kool-Aid?” I looked at our surroundings. “Where are we?” The fireplace in the corner of the pub was familiar.

“Some bar.” She brushed my hair from my face. “You wandered down here like you knew the way, muttering some shit I couldn’t understand about this being your place of happiness. Have you been here before?” She glanced around.

“No,” I answered, but I wasn't certain about anything. “Maybe. I don't know.”

“Well, your weird instincts were dead on. Turns out this is the only bar open today in the city. Everything closes for the coronation. This one stays open for the crowds afterward.”

“Oh shit, the coronation. I forgot. Did it happen already?” I was so lost.

“No. Drink the coffee.”

“Okay.” I took it and started to sip, inhaling the pumpkin-spice latte smell. “They sell pumpkin-spice lattes here?”

“God no.” Linna laughed bitterly. “I taught the guy in the bar how to make it.” She winked at the bartender who grinned back.

“Of course you did. You sure it was only three glasses of champagne? I feel like death,” I said, cringing from the headache that was trying to murder me.

“Yes. I watched you drink, you had three, maybe less. So this is one of two things: either someone messed with your drink, or this is because of the puking. Like maybe you had nothing in your stomach and you were crazy upset, so your anxiety and the booze sabotaged you.”

“Maybe. I feel like I drank the entire champagne—what’s that called? Brewery, winery, distillery, champagnery?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know?” She slumped back into the chair next to me. “What are we going to do? Should we go home?”

“I don't know.” I recalled just enough detail to know shit had hit the proverbial fan. “I’m so ashamed. I should have eaten something. Maybe you’re right, we should go home.”

“Girl, this isn’t your fault. You were upset. And rightfully so. There’s no excuse for his bullshit. Either he is a scumbag or he fell for the trap and dragged you in with him.”

“I fell for it too,” I admitted. “When I saw it. I fell for it. I was crushed. And now I’ve let her win.”

“Win what? Some dude? Let her have him. Forget him. So what, he’s a king.”

“Not yet.” I laughed bitterly as my eyes darted to the clock. “It’s only four forty-five. He’s not king until six.”

“And you’re coming to the ceremony,” Dad said breathlessly from behind me, making me jump. I turned to find him, Hattie, Jess, and Johan.

“Dad, I can’t do this. Everyone saw me, didn't they?”

“No. No one saw except my family.” Johan shook his head. “When Alex saw you, she sent for Aiden to come get you and for me to get Mary. Mary’s not feeling well either, only she has Mother in her room, shouting nonstop.”

“Yikes.” My head hurt way too much to suffer through that. “Aiden isn’t going to want me there. The drunk American girl who embarrassed him.”

“Too bad, I’ll be damned if that horrible woman is going to win. We already have this planned out.” Hattie pointed at the door. “Bea, Dee, Jess, you, and Linna will all get ready in your room. They’re waiting with a team. Let’s go.” She was taking no prisoners on this. “If you let them win, this will bug you for the rest of your life. And the boy might be stupid and gullible, but he loves you.”

“He’ll be destroyed if you don't come, Fin,” Johan added. “He’s completely devastated right now.”

“Fine.” I wasn't in the mood to fight.

I let them drag me to the car where Isaac waited. He smiled at me. “We have to hurry.”

I didn't say anything. I wasn't in the mood for anything; not talking, not fixing, and certainly not forgiving.

When we arrived at the mansion, we followed Johan through the side entrance and up the servants’ stairs to our floor. In my room, Dee and Bea attacked with hugs. “Oh, Fin!”

I gave Bea a look. “Level with me, what happened and who knows?”

“It was Alex who saw you first through the window. She sent for Aiden and then alerted the queen. Aiden came and tried to reason with you. Linna attacked him, which we all felt was deserved. And then he went back into the house, completely livid but he maintained his cool. I believe the only people who know you and Mary got obliterated are the family. Close family.”

“Okay.” I sat in the chair and let her and Dee assault me with makeup and a dress as dressers did Linna and Jess.

It was a whirlwind of dressing, makeup, and hair. But we were done and down the stairs at quarter to six. The house was empty of guests and family. It was the quietest I’d seen it since we arrived.

Dad and Hattie were waiting for us.

“You look beautiful,” Dad said as we all rushed for the cars.

“Talk later, Dad.” I hurried to the door.

Tracy and Isaac were with the cars at the bottom of the grand front stairs.

They drove as if they were racing there and only the winner got to live.

The horse-drawn carriage bringing Aiden and his family was two blocks away when we pulled up. We scrambled, out of breath and in agony from the constricting dresses, but managed to be in the church on time, ish.

“Come on, Fin!” Dee tried to pull me to the front row where I was meant to sit.

“I’m good back here,” I said, slipping my gloved hand from hers.

She paused like she might argue but nodded after a moment. “Okay.” Mark offered me a soft and heartfelt look as he led Dee to her seat.

I sat at the back with Jess and Linna and Dad and Hattie.

When we were in our seats, and everything came down from the air where it had been for the last hour, I exhaled and gave them all a smile. “Thanks, guys. Sorry I’m such a fuck-up.”

“Don't say ‘fuck’ in church,” Hattie scolded me. “And stop being so hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, Fin. You’ve had a particularly hard day.”

“Yeah.” I let her think I’d heard her. But the reality was I’d done something awful. And there was no taking it back. And Aiden would never forgive me for this. I didn't know how to ask him to.

Mary, looking a bit flushed, came in first. She walked by, not noticing us as she found her seat up at the very front. Johan and Jack came next, both a bit sheepish in appearance as well.

My insides started to tighten and do the inner revolt thing they always did whenever there was an Aiden issue. He might have loved me from the moment he saw me, but I got anxiety from him the moment I saw him. The first time we made eye contact, my stomach became tight and uneasy, and I wasn't certain it ever relaxed again.

The church music and the sound and movement of everyone standing was lost on me as the queen and king came in next, him seeming so small compared to the first time I’d seen him.

They walked slowly to the front of the church, a place I couldn’t really see.

Aiden came in next, standing tall and regal, wearing some weird red jacket over black pants, the same as his dad. Almost a military uniform but old fashioned and fancier.

His chin was high and set and his chest was puffed with his straight back. He appeared bigger, taller, and massive in the uniform. He had a sword at his side, one he could no doubt wield because he was that guy.

My breath hitched, stuck in my throat as he went by like he was floating.

I couldn't tear my gaze from him as he made his way to the front of the church. He stood with his mother and father and some other official-looking people. He’d explained the whole thing to me once, but I hadn’t cared. Or wanted to hear it.

As the crowd of hundreds settled, he stole a moment to glance up and down the front row.

His eyes instantly came to the very back of the church, as if he somehow knew I was there.

If he hadn’t been so far away, I might have said we made eye contact.

We didn't, but I knew if we had I would see disappointment.

That devastated me.

But even my saddened heart was silenced as the stupidity of everything that had happened over the course of our year and a half together faded away, and he turned to face the man, the minister or whatever he was.

Nothing mattered, not Alex or the queen or Sheila or me.

Aiden was becoming part of history. He was taking a seat at a table someone like me didn't deserve to be invited to.

All the nonsense was lost in the importance of this moment.

We sat, pretending to be comfortable in our gowns, and watched the longest ceremony I'd ever endured. None of it was in English, obviously, so we were extra lost.

My father slipped his hand around mine, gripping it tightly as Aiden and his father sat in two huge chairs next to each other, facing the crowd. The important-looking man took the crown from his father’s head and placed it on Aiden’s.

Again, my breath turned ragged. Aiden’s dad squeezed his hand the way my dad was squeezing my hand. Tears glistened in my eyes, not sad ones. I was in awe of this moment. I understood nothing but kinda picked up on some of the symbolism.

Aiden looked so regal. He was big and strong and rigid. He was a king. The ferocity in his eyes and the firmness of his lips and expression had always been there, kingly characteristics, but now he was using them. He was always destined to be a king, somehow this was always his fate. He didn’t know it, but he was the right choice. It was obvious from here in the cheap seats.

Aiden was cloaked in a weird cape and given a staff. It was intense, he was intense. He was questioned and answered in Catalan, speaking as fluently as he did in English. Maybe better.

Something happened and the crowd cheered, people applauded and hugged.

Aiden and his father stood and hugged before his mother came to them and brushed a soft kiss on his cheek. She helped his dad back to the seats along the side of the pulpit where his family was, up front.

Aiden took his seat as well.

He sat, his eyes lowering for a second before he lifted them and remained rigid, in that exact position for the next hour as the full Catholic mass took place.

I didn't have his composure or his willpower to sit still. I’d wiggled myself and my dad to death and by the time it was over my butt was numb. My body ached from the stupid tight gown. And the hangover was killing me.

Like at a wedding, Aiden and his family left first. Alex left with them, a smug grin on her face. I wanted to punch it off, but I was sure I’d end up with a broken hand. I wasn't a fighter. Linna and I had proven that with our weird catfight.

The front of the church left first and by the time it was our turn, everyone was gone.

I sat there, confused and crushed, but caught a glimpse of someone to the right. A camera snapped a photo of me. “We should go,” I said and stood, hating that this would be the headline of the paper, not Aiden’s photo. I had officially ruined his day and that picture would be the next sword in his side.

“Where to?” Linna asked as she stood.

“I’m going home. I’m going to get a car and drive to Toulouse and get a flight to Scotland.”

“Okay.” She smiled.

“You don't want to go somewhere else?” Dad asked.

“No, I want to go back to St Andrews and pretend none of this happened.”

“That’s not going to happen, Fin.” Hattie rolled her eyes, leading me out of the church. “You need to talk to him. You can’t leave without speaking to him. You two have done a top-notch job of destroying each other. I know he ruined your day but you ruined his, and his was pretty important.”

“I know,” I grumbled and left the church. The crowds in the street were nuts. Like a Christmas village come to life all at once. “Can you guys let me escape with Linna, and stay here and make it seem like I’m still with you?” I asked my dad and Jess seriously.

“If that’s what you want. But you’re making a mistake.” Dad gave me the look, the disapproving-dad furrow.

“I know. But I have to free him of me. He doesn't need this insanity that comes with his mom hating me.”

“She doesn't see you, Fin. She doesn't see how amazing you would be as a queen.”

“Thanks, Dad.” I hugged him and turned away. The pain in my dad’s eyes was too much for me.

Carriages were waiting for us when we reached the bottom of the stairs. Isaac was one of the drivers. He smiled. “I thought maybe you fell asleep in there.”

“You waited for us?”

“I owe you an apology, Fin.” He helped me into a horse-drawn carriage. “I am sorry. I never wanted to betray you.”

“I know.” I nodded, squeezing his hand with my gloved fingers. “It was your job and the fault was Aiden’s. He’s a dick. Let’s be honest.”

“He’s not a dick.”

“Fine, he’s amazing and I’m a dick.” I shrugged, tired of everything, and climbed in and sat, pulling the blanket over my lap.

Jess got in next to me. “You okay?” she asked.

“Nope.” I was about to lie about it but there was no sugarcoating how ridiculously I’d behaved. And now I was stuck with the repercussions of my stupid actions.

“I love you.” She hugged me.

“I love you too.”

“Are you seriously going to end this, once and for all?”

“Once and for all,” I answered quietly.

Everyone hugged me as they got in, clearly worried.

I was worried too. I didn't think I’d be able to do it. But Aiden was bigger than this now, bigger than us.

When we arrived at the mansion, people were getting out of their carriages and climbing the stairs to the house. Aiden greeted everyone at the front door. Seeing him took my breath away.

The people bowed and kissed his hand.

We got into the line. I didn't see another way into the house and avoiding him wouldn't help. I needed Aiden to think I was still here so I could escape easier.

He smiled and spoke politely to each person as they climbed, all repeating the same things. His voice tugged at me, ripping at my composure and resolve.

When I was I few people back in the line, he saw me, wincing just enough that I noticed it. He directed his attention back to the man who was kissing his ring.

“Hi,” I said when it was my turn to step in front of him. I bowed and gently took his hand in mine, feeling the heat from it through my gloves. I didn't meet his gaze, just kissed quickly. “I don't know what I’m supposed to say, so congratulations. Your Highness,” I said softly.

“Meet me in my room in five minutes,” he whispered.

“No.” I walked away and headed inside.

Mary slipped her hand into mine and pulled me aside. “You all right?” She led me to the table where the food was and started filling a plate.

“Nope. I feel like such a jerk.” I tried to stay calm as I loaded up a plate of appetizers.

“You’re not a jerk.” She forced me to a dark corner where the servants were setting up drinks and mixing salads. “And neither am I. I will be getting to the bottom of this, Fin. Make no mistake, someone set us up.” Her eyes flashed with ire. “Eat. We both need some food.”

We ate in silence, gobbling back carbs and drinking huge glasses of water.

She sounded like Linna, but I didn't think they were right. There was no way anyone here would drug us. Me maybe, but not Mary.

Certainly not Mary.

And I’d already been drugged once in my life—there was no way that happened to someone twice.